Key Question(s) to Explore:

New Terminology:

Materials Needed:

Globe article, Internet

Learning Activity

Introduction to lesson and task:

The 2019 federal election is set for October, and one new party is planning to field candidates in all federal ridings—the People’s Party of Canada. Started by former Conservative cabinet minister Maxime Bernier, the PPC is almost unknown to Canadians at this point, but support is growing. The PPC combines fundamental principles of libertarianism (see a Libertarian website: https://www.lp.org/platform/) with populist themes that have done well with politicians such as Donald Trump and Doug Ford.

Action (lesson plan and task):

Consider starting on a light note by asking students to define some metaphors, memes and colloquialisms drawn from Mr. Clark’s article. This may be of significant value to ESL students, who may find the following confusing (answers in parentheses):

“Mad Max” (A meme referring to an old movie starring Mel Gibson; here it appears to denote Maxime Bernier as, at minimum, radical, but likely the use of the meme is an attempt at humour)

“Clickbait” (Provocative online content intended to get users to click through to other websites)

“Tinfoil-hat conspiracy theories” (Decades ago, some people believed that aliens/Communists/the government were reading and/or controlling their minds. To protect themselves, some wore tinfoil hats. Over time, tinfoil-hat came to apply derogatorily to some conspiracy theorists)

“Hot buttons” (Doing, saying, or writing something to deliberately provoke a strong emotional response from a specific person or group)

“Follow him down those rabbit holes” (A metaphor for venturing into the unknown; a reference from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, where Alice follows a rabbit down a hole and finds herself in Wonderland)

Find out what students already know about Maxime Bernier and his new People’s Party of Canada. Discuss briefly, then assign the following:

Each group should review their own source, then answer these questions/prompts (Note: Not all of these articles contain answers or information about all these points. Make a note if that applies to your group):

Who started the PPC? What political experience does he bring? What reasons does he provide for starting a new political party?

Describe the PPC’s position, in broad terms, on the following:

Immigration, refugees

The United Nations

“World Government”

Multiculturalism

Gun laws

Free speech

Environment, fossil fuels

The role of government

If you can, describe in general terms what kind of person seems to gravitate to this new party. Give reasons why you think this is the case.

Poll your group: is this a party and leader you could or would vote for? Give reasons for your position.

Consolidation of Learning:

Students compare their reports at the end of class, or in a subsequent session, noting the differences about their impressions of the PPC and Mr. Bernier.

Success

Success Criteria:

In simple terms, students can describe the PPC, what it stands for, and provide some critiques of its platform.

Confirming Activity:

Ask students to report when they see new online or broadcast news about Mr. Bernier and the PPC.